AN 86-year-old fan of Charles Dickens has completed a marathon with a difference to raise funds for Hospices UK.

Brian Oxberry, a member of the Charles Dickens (Malton) Society, performed A Christmas Carol 100 times over 26.2 days starting on November 23.

He completed it with nine recitals in front of a small and socially-distanced audience at the Friends Meeting House in York shortly before Christmas.

Brian said: “I was a bit worried that my voice might wear out, but if anything it got stronger,”

His performance was filmed by his daughter Bernadette and is available to view at facebook.com/brian.oxberry.5, where you can also order a CD for £5 (profits go to St Leonard’s Hospice) or to donate go to justgiving.com/fundraising/brian-oxberry